Social Protection and Value-Added Agribusiness as Solutions to Unemployment and Poverty among Educated Nigerian Youths
Timipre, Preyor Joseph (2022) Social Protection and Value-Added Agribusiness as Solutions to Unemployment and Poverty among Educated Nigerian Youths. Doctoral thesis, Royal Agricultural University.
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Timipre Joseph Preyor's PhD thesis - Certified.pdf - Accepted Version Download (5MB) | Preview |
Abstract
Introduction: Poverty and unemployment are global challenges that affect two-thirds of Nigeria’s population. Across the population, 63.1% of youths and about 25 million of young graduates are affected. Government driven social protection measures such as youth enterprise programmes (YEPs) may be a mechanism to address these problems. Aim: This research examines the impact of educated youths’ social assistance or entrepreneurship programmes on beneficiaries and the local economy in Delta State, Nigeria by examining the performance of the YAGEP (agriculturally based) and STEP industrial based) programmes through the lens of their beneficiaries. Methodology: The research used the indices of Inclusive Growth (job creation, income growth, personal development and value added to products) to measure the impact of the programmes on beneficiaries. The research data are collected using structured and unstructured questions in a paper-based questionnaire, administered to 320 beneficiaries of YAGEP or STEP, and analysed using thematic analysis (qualitative data), and univariate, bivariate and multivariate analysis (quantitative data). Findings: The research identified business experience, training, age, education level, and business location as the five most important personal and economic characteristics that influence the personal success of entrepreneurs on the programmes. The research further determined 3-classes of entrepreneurs (necessity, opportunity, and necessity-opportunity), and the barriers (direct and indirect) and enabling factors to the successful design and implementation of YEPs and the creation of Small and Micro Businesses (SMBs). The studied programmes were found to be beneficial for delivering inclusive growth excepting with value addition to products. Contribution: The research through its findings proffers potential policy solutions to support governments, and the development of the design and implementation of YEPs. Adoption of these potential policies will improve the education sector, improve SMBs’ performance, develop infrastructure, and lead to inclusive growth through YEPs. The research added five novel discoveries to the existing body of knowledge in relation to entrepreneurship, SMBs, and YEPs, including a structural blueprint and model for entrepreneurship programmes, which is of significant value to revising, reviewing, and developing future entrepreneurship programmes.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Doctoral) |
|---|---|
| Keywords: | Inclusive-Growth, Poverty, Unemployment, Youth-Enterprise-Programmes, SMBs, Nigeria |
| Depositing User: | Ms Susan Baker |
| Date Deposited: | 22 Jul 2026 14:18 |
| Last Modified: | 22 Jul 2026 14:18 |
| URI: | https://rau.repository.guildhe.ac.uk/id/eprint/17117 |
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